When you’re an athlete, the last thing you want is an ankle injury keeping you out of the game. At Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York, we always stress the importance of maintaining optimal foot and ankle health. Our ankle surgeon in Elmhurst would like to inform you about the recovery timeline after ankle surgery.
An ankle fracture is one of the leading injuries among athletes, as they typically perform various twisting, rolling, and bending movements. The recovery period for ankle surgery can vary widely among individuals. Here is a general timeline of what you can expect following your surgery:
Recovery Begins
Depending on your procedure, recovery will usually begin 1-2 days after surgery. Your ankle will be fitted for a cast or brace to help ensure that your ankle heals properly. A week after the procedure, you will need to return to our ankle surgeon in Elmhurst so we can monitor your healing process. During that time, you will need to keep any dressing or bandages dry. You can elevate and ice your leg for comfort. During this time, you will need to keep weight off of the injured foot. Once the doctor feels your bones are strong enough, you can start putting weight on your foot in a boot. This allows a gradual increase to full weight-bearing. Once the bones are healed, rehabilitation can begin.
Rehabilitation
If the doctor deems it necessary, you may undergo 4-6 weeks of physical therapy. Physical therapy aims to improve your range of motion and restore function to your injured leg. If you’re an athlete, you are probably restless and want to get back in the game. You must allow your body to heal fully before returning to any rigorous activities. Keep in mind that no recovery timeline is the same. Other factors that will affect your return to play include:
- Your age.
- Your gender.
- Your training status before and post-injury.
- Your compliance with rehabilitation protocol.
- The level of your sport.
Once your ankle has been through the rehabilitation process, you will likely be approved to return to play after 10-12 weeks.
Contact Our Ankle Surgeon in Elmhurst
Ankle surgery can be daunting, but you can trust you are in good hands at Foot and Ankle Surgeons of New York. Our ankle surgeon in Elmhurst is skilled in performing surgery to restore function after an ankle injury. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.